Automatic gate for railroad-crossings.



No. 886,321. I PATENTED APR.28, 1-908.

' K. GRZBSLOWSKI.

AUTOMATIC GATE FOR RAILROAD CROSSINGS.

. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 4. 1 01.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

J b a 41 J13 w E 1 E 3 a; R 7 ELL :l iiii l pg No. 886,321. PATENTEDAPR. 28, 1908.

K. GRZBSLOWSKI.

AUTOMATIC GATE FOR RAILROAD GROSSINGS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR-4,1907.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

n4: NORRIS PETERS cm, WASHINGTUN. a cv No. 886,321. PATENTED APR. 28,1908.

. K. GRZESLOWSKI. AUTOMATIC GATE FOR RAILROAD GROSSINGS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 4. 1907- 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

THE uanms nsrxn: cm, WASHINGTON, n. c.

UNITE STATES KAROL GRZESLOWSKI, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR OFONE-THIRD TO KAOZOROWSKI, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

PATENT onrro.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 28, 1908.

Application filed March 4, 1907. Serial No. 360,617.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, KAROL GRzEsLowsKr, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented a new and useful Improvement in Automatic Gates for Railway-Crossings, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of gates which, are operatedautomatically by the movement of trains, engines and cars over therailroad before and after they have passed the crossing.

The object of my invention is to secure simplicity and cheapness ofconstruction, certainty of action and safety in operation.

The manner in which I accomplish my object is described in the followingspecifications and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a double track railway, showing the gatesin the closed position and the relative positions of the operativemechanism and railway tracks. Fig. 2 is a vertical side elevation, theparts being in the same relative positions shown in Fig. 1, with theadditions indicated by the dotted and sectional figures which are partlybeneath the roadbed. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional viewonthe line 33 Fig. 1 of a pair of gates in an open position and part oftheir connecting and operating mechanism. Fig. 4 is a vertical crosssectional view of two opposite gates and part of their connecting andoperative mechanism. Fig. 5 is a top plan View of one of the boxescontaining part of the operative mechanism and arms operated by themovement of trains on the tracks. Fig. 6 is a vertical cross section onthe line 6-6 Fig. 5, showing the mechanism operated by the movement ofthe arms. Fig. 7 is a view on the same sectional line, but within thelimits indicated by the line 7? Fig. 6 of an additional shaft and gearsrequired for the reverse movement of the mechanism shown in Fig. 6. Fig.8 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view on the line 88 Fig. 6,showing the mechanism in that figure and the cable box, cable, cablerods and cable rod rolls beneath the road bed. Fig. 9 is the strikingend view of a striking bar. Fig. '10 is a longitudinal side elevation ofthe striking bar attached to the engine or car.

The same reference letters and numerals I refer to the same parts ineach of the several views, in which:

i A indicates the road bed, A the ties and i A the rails.

] B and B indicate the pair of gates on the near side of the roadway,the gate B containing the alarm bell mechanism.

B and B indicate the pair of gates onthe far side of the roadway, thegate B- containing the bell mechanism.

f 0 indicates the shaft box extending transversely beneath the roadbedand beneath the center line of the crossing.

0 indicates the cable box extending beneath the longitudinal center lineof the roadbed.

O indicates the box parallel with the tracks extending from gate post togate post inclosing the connecting mechanisms.

O indicates the pit box at each end of the main cable in which thebalance weights are inclosed.

The gates are of ordinary construction and I therefore require nodetailed description.

Each of these gates is mounted on a transverse shaft B in the hollow atepost B l/Vithin each of these posts rigidly secured on the shaft B is asprocket wheel B. In the lower part of each of the posts is a rotaryshaft B parallel with the shaft B. Rigidly secured on each of theseshafts is a sprocket Wheel B corresponding in size with the wheels B.These sprocket wheels in each post are connected by a sprocket chain BRigidly secured on each of the shafts B is a second sprocket wheel BThese wheelsin the posts supporting the gates B and B are connected by asprocket chain B and the gates B and B are connected in the same Way.This connection is shown in Fig. 3. This chain in passing from Wheel towheel is crossed for the purpose of operating the chains B in oppositedirections and of thereby moving the gates towards each other from thevertical osition and back again. Supported in the bearings D afiixed inthe box O is a main shaft D This shaft extends transversely under thetracks and under the longitudinal center of the crossing. Near l eachend of this shaft and rigidly secured i thereto in line with the chain Bis a sprocket wheel D adapted in size to engage the chain B and tooperate it in either direction. The position of this wheel is betweenthe lines of gate this chain, hence the wheel is engaged with the chainat the top and bottom diameter of the wheel as shown in Fig. 3. Whenthese wheels and chains are once adjusted, the rotation of the shaft Doperates all the gates simultaneously.

Rigidly secured on the central part of the shaft D is a cable wheel DLooped on this wheel is a cable E. The ends of this cable extendhorizontally from the top of the wheel into the box C as shown in Fig.3. The ends of this cable are secured to the eyes E of connecting rods Ewhich are supported at intervals on rollers E rotatably secured in thebox C as shown in Fig. 8. Located at suitable distances from each otherand from the crossing are a series of boxes F which contain themechanism for operating the cable E. I Six of these boxes are shown inFigs. 1 and 2, to illustrate my invention, but an suitable number may beused. Onehalf of the number used are located in each direction along thetracks and are connected with the cable box (1, and the mechanism isconnected with the cable E as hereinafter described. Each of these boxesprojects some distance above the face of the rails. In the central partof each of the sides of these boxes is a bearing, rotatably supported inwhich is ashaft F the axes of the shafts in each box being at rightangles to. the length of the tracks. The external end of each shaft isthreaded and provided with a nut, and is adapted to support an arm F Theinternal ends F of each pair of shafts are spaced from each other andeach is provided with a washer F and ada ted to sup ort a crank G, each.of which cran s has a hu G into which the end F 6 of the shaft F extendsas shown in Fig. 6. In this hub is a set screw G by which the crank isrigidly secured. Inserted into the hubs G of each pair of cranks in eachof the boxes F, is a shaft G This shaft is free to rotate in said hubsand its axis is in the same line as that of the shafts F This shaft isfurther supported by the parallel arms of a link bearing G which hangspendent from the top of the box F through which it extends. The ends Grof this link form a double bearing between the cranks for the shaft Gand a cable wheel G which is free to be rotated on the shaft G betweenthe arms of the link G The periphery of the wheel G is grooved to holdthe cable E and is flanged at G on both sides.

Pivotally secured on the inside face of each of cranks G by the pivotstud G is a pawl G When in a normal position of rest these pawls justclear the flange part G of the cable wheel G as shown in Fig. 8, securedin the outside face of each of these pawls is a stud G These studs justclear the ends of cranks G and extend some distance beyond the outsidefaces thereof and are thereby adapted to be engaged by the ends of a'tional parts in which the gears G spring G One of these springs iscoiled on each of the shafts F between its bearing and the washer F Thetwo ends G of each of these springs extend downward and in touch withboth sides of the studs G and are held in position. by the check rail Gwhich is secured by the screws C1 to' the bottom of the box. The seriesof boxes located to one side of a crossing are provided with themechanism herein described. The boxes on the other side of the crossinghave two additional shafts G and a pair of gears G and G, as shown inFig. 7. The gears G are secured rigidly on the shafts F and the gears Gon the shafts G which are supported in suitable bearings parallel withthe bearings F The arms F are supported on the shafts G instead of inthe shafts F by these addiand G mesh into each other, the movement ofthe cranks G is the reverse of that in the other series of boxes, aswill be explained hereinafter.

Looped around each of the cable wheels G is part of the cable E, the endleaving the bottom of the wheel in line with the top of the wheel D onthe main shaft D. Interposed in the cable E between the successive boxesare rods E as shown in Fig. 8. The extreme ends of the cable pass overwheels H supported in the top of the boxes C and each end is connectedto a balance weight H In two of the four posts is an alarm mechanismwhich consists of a segmental gear J secured on the shaft B and meshinginto a gear J on a shaft J secure on this shaft is a spoke wheel J 3which is adapted to engage a striker J held under pressure of a springJ. This striker extends through the top of the post and is adapted whenmoved by the wheel J to strike a bell J secured on the screw stud J inthe top of the post as shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

When my device is constructed as described, its operation is as follows:The gates being in the vertical position the weights H hold the cabletaut and all the parts in a normal position of rest. The contact of theshoe K on an approaching engine or car with: one of the arms F on eitherside of the box F which is the end one of the series forces the arm overto the position shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 8, thereby rotatingthe shaft F its crank G with the pawl pivoted thereon. The end of thepawl retarded by pressure of the spring engages the flange G of thecable wheel G and partly rotates it as shown by the dotted figure inFig. 8. This movement of the wheel draws the cable E and its connectingrods in the direction of the movement of the wheel. In this movement ofthe cable all the other cable wheels G in all the boxes on both sides ofthe crossing rotate freely on their shafts G without interference by theother parts of the mechanism in the boxes F. As the cable moves tatesthe cable wheel D shaft D sprocket wheels D chains B sprocket wheels Bchains B wheels B shafts B and partly lowers the gates from the verticalposition. This movement of the shafts B and segmental gears operates thebell mechanism and sounds the bell on each side of the tracks. Directlythe pressure of the shoe on the arm is passed, the end of the spring Gwhich had been carried away from the check rail Gr by the movement ofthe crank and pawl, releases the pawl from the wheel and forces thecrank and arm back to their normal positions leaving the cable wheel inthat box free to be revolved by the next movement of the cable. The nextmovement of the gates occurs when the shoe strikes the arm of the nextbox, thereby moving the crank, pawl, spring, and wheel, which draws thecable in the same direction, operating the main shaft, and connectingchains, sounding the alarm and lowering the gates another part of thequarter circle which is the limit of their movement. As the shoesuccessively strikes each arm the movements of the parts in each box arerepeated and the gates are lowered a little at a time. At each movementof the gates the alarm is given to the ear and the eye, at suchintervals as to warn all who may be approaching or that may be on thecrossing, thereby giving ample opportunity for all to place themselvesin a position of safety. When the engine or car moving in the directionof the arrow in Fig. 10 has passed over the crossing and strikes thearms successively on the other side the reverse movements are made bythe reverse mechanism (described and shown in Fig. 7) in each of theboxes and the gates are thereby raised to the vertical position. Whenthe train comes from the oppositedirection and moves the arms on theopposite direction, the same movement of parts results and the gates areraised and lowered in the same way.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a railway gate, the combination with the posts and arms pivotedthereto on opposite sides of a railway track and of the roadway crossingsaid track, of sprocket gearing within each post, and chains connectingsaid gearing in the two posts located on the same side of the track onopposite sides of said roadway, a main shaft extending from side to sideof said track journaled in suitable bearings and having acable wheel andpair of sprocket wheels aflixed thereon, said sprocket wheels being inengagement with said chains on either side of the track and adapted tooperate said chains, sprocket gearing and arms, a cable lapped on saidcable wheel and extending in both directions at right angles to saidmain shaft, under the center line of said track, a series of cable itpartly rowheels supporting said cable journaled in boxes projectingabove said track and'spaced from each other, and operating mechanism ineach of said boxes adapted to operate said wheels and said cable, andweights attached to the ends of said cable adapted to hold said cabletaut.

2. In a railway gate, the combination with the posts and arms pivotallysupported thereon, of a gearing in each of said posts consisting of twoparallel shafts ournaled in each post, arranged vertically one above theother, the upper adapted to support the arm, and having a sprocket wheelaffixed thereon within the post, the lower shaft having apair ofsprocket wheels affixed thereon, one ofsaid wheels being in a verticalline with the wheel on said upper shaft, and connected therewith by asprocket chain, the other wheel being adapted to support a chainextending horizontally through one side of the post a pair of sprocketchains connecting said gearing in the two posts located on the same sideof the track; a transverse shaft and cable and sprocket wheels affixedthereon, said sprocket wheels being adapted to engage and operate saidhorizontal chains; a cable lapped on said wheel; a series of cablewheels engaged by said cable mechanism connected with and adapted to oerate each of said wheels and said cable, anc means for holding saidcable taut.

3. In a railway gate, the combination with the posts, and gearingtherein adapted to support and operate the arms of said gate; of a pairof sprocket chains located horizontally one on each side of the railway,beneath the roadway crossing said railway, and adapted to connect thegearing in both of the osts on the same side of the railway, each 0 saidchains bein crossed and thereby adapted when moved to operate thegearing in each of said posts in opposite directions; a transverse shaftand cable and sprocket wheels affixed thereon, said s rocket wheelsbeing adapted to engage and operate said pair of chains; a cable lappedon said cable wheel; a

series of cable wheels engaged by said cable, a means for operating saidwheels and cable, and means for holding said cable taut.

4. In a railway gate, the combination with the post, the sprocketgearing therein and arms supported thereby and the pair of horizontalsprocket chains connecting said gearing as described; of a transverseshaft extending beneath the railway and in line with the center of theroadway crossing the railway, said shaft being journaled in suitablebearings and having a pair of sprocket wheels .affixed one on each endthereof adapted to engage and o erate said pair of horizontal chains,a-cab e wheel centrally located on said shaft and affixed thereto; thecable supported on said wheel and extending in opposite directionstherefrom; a series of cable wheels engaged by said cable and the meansfor operating said cable and for holding it taut, as described.

5. In a railway gate, the combination with the posts, the gearingtherein the arms supported thereby and horizontal chains connecting saidgearing, the shaft and gears thereon engaged with said chains, and thecable wheel on said shaft; of a cable lapped around said wheel, saidcable extending at right angles to said shaft horizontally in bothdirections from the top of said wheel, supported on suitable rollerbearin s, and lapped around a series of vertica cable wheels, thehorizontal line of said cable corresponding with the lowest point of therim of said wheels; and means for operating said series of wheels andfor holding said cable taut.

6. In a railway gate, the combination with the posts,the gearing thereinand arms supported thereby, the pair of chains connecting said gearing,the shaft and gears thereon adapted to operate said chains, the cablewheel affixed on said shaft and the cable lapped on said wheel; of aseries of cable wheels engaged by said cable, each of said wheels beinginclosed in a suitable box and normally free to be rotated by saidcable, each of said wheels having a peripheral flange ada ted to beengaged by a pair of radial paw s and to be moved by the contact andmovement of either of said pawls; and means for supporting and operatingsaid pawls and operating said wheels and cable, and for holding saidcable taut.

7. In a railway gate, the combination with the posts, the gearingtherein, and arms sup ported thereby, the connecting chains andtransverse shaft the gear wheels cable wheel thereon and the cable onsaid wheel the se ries of cable wheels engaged by said cable, and boxesinclosing said wheels; of operating mechanism supported in each of saidboxes adapted to support and operate said wheels and cable, saidmechanism consisting of pendent link bearings supported in the top ofthe box, a shaft supported in said bearings on which said cable wheel issupported and free to rotate, shafts supported in suitable bearings insides of said box axially coincident with the shaft in said linkbearings, arms affixed outside said box on said shafts, a pair of cranksaflixed on said shafts and pivotally supported by the ends of said shaftin the link bearings, pawls pivotally suspended on each of said cranksin position to be moved into engagement with the flange of said cablewheel, each of said awls having a side pin at right angles to the Iineof movement of said pawls, and below and projecting beyond the ends ofsaid cranks, and a pair of pendent double ended springs, supported onsaid shafts and in contact with said pins and with a stop aflixed on thebottom of said box, said stop being adapted to hold said springs in anormal position of rest as described.

8. In a railway gate, the combination with the posts, the sprocketgearing therein and arms thereon, the horizontal connecting sprocketchains, the transverse shaft and gears operating said chains, the cablewheel and cable adapted to operate said shaft, gearing and arms; of adouble series of cable wheels and operating mechanism, the mechanism ineach part constituting one of said series, consisting of an inclosingand supporting box, pendent bearings therein, a cable wheel and itsshaft supported in said bearings, arms and supporting shafts rotatablein suitable bearings in said box, said shafts being axially coincidentwith said wheel shaft, a pair of cranks secured on the ends of saidshafts and rotatably supported on said wheel shaft, pendent pawls onsaid cranks and springs engaging said pawls, and the mechanism in theother series having an additional pair of auxiliary bearings and shaftsparallel with and above said arm shafts, and connected therewith bygears on said shafts adapted to mesh with each other, the arms on saidseries being affixed on the auxiliary shafts as described.

9. In a railway gate, the combination with the posts, the sprocketgearing therein and arms supported thereon, the transverse shaft andmeans for connecting said shaft and gearing, the cable ada ted tooperate said shaft, the series of cab e wheels adapted to operate saidcable, the mechanism in each part of said series adapted to support andoperate said wheels; of the double ended arms connected with and formingpart of mechanism of each part of said series, said arms being adaptedto be moved by means affixed to an engine or car passing in eitherdirection and to thereby operate said mechanism, cable wheel, cable,shaft, gearing and gate arms as described.

KAROL GRZESLOWSKI.

